Police fear Lake Nona man may have preyed on other youngsters

A 56-year-old Lake Nona man was arrested and charged with showing obscene material to a minor after his home was searched by Orlando police Thursday.

Pedro Abad, who lives in the 10100 block of Moss Rose Way near Lake Nona, is accused of showing gay pornography to a 14-year-old boy who lives in the same neighborhood.

Investigators think Abad may have other possible victims and they are urging anyone with information to call the police department at 321-235-5300.

Police were alerted to Abad's alleged behavior after the teen's parents became suspicious when they saw Abad hug their son. The adults were not familiar with Abad.

After seeing the hug, the parents questioned their son about the stranger. The teen later told them Abad had befriended him about a year ago and had shown him gay pornography on numerous occasions. The teen also said Abad once gave him $50, reports show.

The teen's parents called police to report Abad's behavior. Investigators questioned the boy, who said that he met Abad while walking his dogs through the neighborhood. Abad gave him candy and once patted his behind, but nothing sexual occurred between the two, the teen told officers.

An Orlando detective, posing as the teen, held a text-message conversation with Abad on Tuesday. During the exchange Abad told the teen not tell anyone that he'd been inside Abad's house.

"Do U realize how much trouble I could b in if your parents accused me of imporoper conduct even if it were not true?" Abad wrote in a text message. "I do not see a problem with us being friends in spite of our age difference. U could be my son, and that's how I consider U. But unfortunately that's not how the rest of society sees it, especially since I am gay. So we have to b careful."

Investigators determined Abad was trying to "groom" the teen by offering gifts and money to the child in order to keep the relationship a secret from other adults.

"Pedro's only intent with [the teen] is to engage in sexual activity," the detective wrote in an affidavit for the search warrant.